The Tamil Nadu vs centre 'language war' - over the National Education Policy and its three-language formula, which the southern state views as 'imposition of Hindi' - exploded inside and outside Parliament Monday with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticising the latter's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for "ruining the future of students (from the state)". He also used a pejorative - to describe Tamil Nadu - that he later withdrew and was then expunged from the Lok Sabha's records.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who has called 'Hindi imposition' as the act of "entitled bigots" delivered a feisty response; on X he told Mr Pradhan to "mind his words" and said, "The Union Education Minister, who thinks of himself as a king and speaks arrogantly, needs to be disciplined!"

"They (the DMK) are being dishonest. They are not committed to Tamil Nadu students. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language barriers. They are doing politics... mischief. They are undemocratic," Mr Pradhan raged in the Lok Sabha.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin delivered a feisty response to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of "acting like a king".

The Tamil Nadu vs centre 'language war' - over the National Education Policy and its three-language formula, which the southern state views as 'imposition of Hindi' - exploded inside and outside Parliament Monday with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticising the latter's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for "ruining the future of students (from the state)". He also used a pejorative - to describe Tamil Nadu - that he later withdrew and was then expunged from the Lok Sabha's records.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who has called 'Hindi imposition' as the act of "entitled bigots" delivered a feisty response; on X he told Mr Pradhan to "mind his words" and said, "The Union Education Minister, who thinks of himself as a king and speaks arrogantly, needs to be disciplined!"

"They (the DMK) are being dishonest. They are not committed to Tamil Nadu students. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language barriers. They are doing politics... mischief. They are undemocratic," Mr Pradhan raged in the Lok Sabha.

The DMK hit back with a privilege motion K Kanimozhi submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

His remarks followed his earlier claim - that Tamil Nadu had, in fact, agreed to fully implement the new education policy, including its three-language formula, only to backtrack later, allegedly in hopes of using the emotionally charged issue to get votes in next year's Assembly election.

He also claimed "internal bickering" in the DMK - which has dominated recent elections in the state, including the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls - had led to this stand-off.

Mr Pradhan's remarks triggered a row in the Lok Sabha that was then adjourned for 30 minutes.